The Novel Cytokine Metrnl/IL-41 Is Elevated in Psoriatic Arthritis Synovium and Induced at the Enthesis

C. Bridgewood, T. Russell, H. Weedon, T. Baboolal, A. Watad, R. Cuthbert, M. Wittmann, M. Wechalekar, D. McGonagle

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstract

Abstract

Introduction: Metrnl or also known as Meteorin-like and IL-41, is a novel protein that has been described as both a cytokine and myokine and is thought to be predominantly immunoregulatory in nature.[1] A recent report found that IL-41 mRNA was highly expressed in psoriatic skin, when compared to other inflammatory skin diseases.[2] We investigated IL-41 protein expression in synovial tissue in RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis), PsA (Psoriatic Arthritis) and OA (Osteoarthritis) patients. IL-41 production was also evaluated in vitro from healthy enthesis samples, as the enthesis represents the primary lesion in PsA. [3]

Methods: IL-41 was measured in synovial fluid from PsA, OA patients by ELISA. Synovial biopsies from the aforementioned disease groups were stained for IL-41 by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Healthy entheseal tissue was isolated and studied in vitro to identify possible cellular sources of IL-41.

Results: IL-41 is highly expressed in the synovial fluid and synovial tissue of PsA patients (median 8118 pg/ml) when compared to OA patients (median 4720 pg/ml). We found that entheseal stromal cells were the dominant producer of IL-41 from the enthesis. Moreover, stromal derived IL-41, could be further induced by the addition of psoriatic relevant cytokines such as IL-17 and TNF.

Conclusion: IL-41 is expressed in psoriatic arthritis synovium and is present and inducible at the enthesis. Its functional effect in psoriatic inflammation remains to be fully elucidated.
Original languageEnglish
Pages160
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Event7th Annual Meeting of the International Cytokine and Interferon Society - Vienna
Duration: 20 Oct 201923 Oct 2019

Conference

Conference7th Annual Meeting of the International Cytokine and Interferon Society
Period20/10/1923/10/19

Keywords

  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • cytokine
  • Metrnl

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Novel Cytokine Metrnl/IL-41 Is Elevated in Psoriatic Arthritis Synovium and Induced at the Enthesis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this